Carlo Ancelotti has officially dropped Brazil’s 2026 World Cup roster, and Neymar has made the cut! But if you think the Santos star is guaranteed a starting spot, think again; Yankee Scores reports…

Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti is unsure of Neymar’s starting role at the 2026 World Cup.

The Italian tactician released final 2026 World Cup roster on Monday which included Neymar.

The Intangible Leadership Value

“He is an important player, and he will be important in this World Cup. But he will have the exact same obligations as the other 25 players. He might play, or he might not. He could start on the bench and come on later,” Ancelotti said.

Ancelotti hinted that Neymar’s leadership particularly off the pitch necessitated his inclusion.

“The squad loves him. He can help create a fantastic atmosphere and bring out the absolute best version of every single player,” the coach added.

No Free Passes

The former Bayern Munich manager emphasized that there are no free passes in the Selecao.

“I want to be clear, transparent, and honest: he will play if he deserves to play,” Ancelotti snapped, admitting that while he has an ideal tactical blueprint in mind, he will strictly evaluate each player’s physical condition leading up to their debut.

Shifting the Burden of a Nation

Ancelotti believes the era of a single player lifting the burden of the team is totally gone; rather, he wants a team that will play like a gang.

“Neymar has the same role as everyone else: to contribute to the team. We cannot dump the weight of all expectations onto a single player. The collective quality of this group must be entirely focused on helping Brazil win the World Cup. I don’t want stars; I want players committed to helping the team win matches.”

It is Neymar’s Fourth FIFA World Cup appearance. He hasn’t donned the Verdeamarela jersey since October 2023. Since Ancelotti took charge of the Brazilian national team a year ago, he had never invited the forward, often citing his fitness issues.